Bearing for solar panel tracking system

摘要

A solar panel array system has posts for mounting vertically in earth along a Z-axis. A torque tube extends along an X-axis at upper ends of the posts for supporting and pivoting solar panels to track the sun. A bearing saddle base has a downward-facing surface that is placed on an upward-facing surface of the post. Lugs and slots on the upward-facing and downward-facing surfaces are positioned so that rotating the base about the Z-axis causes the lugs to enter the slots. A bearing saddle cradle is adjustably mounted to the base at selected pitch angles relative to the base. The base is rotatable about the Z-axis to various positions either centered or placing the X-axis at a yaw angle relative to the post.

主权项

1. A bearing for a torque tube of a solar panel array system, comprising:
a lower bracket having a post mounting plate with apertures to receive fasteners to mount to a vertical post, the lower bracket having a bearing mount on an upper end of the post mounting plate, the bearing mount having a vertical Z-axis; a bearing saddle; a bearing insert that mounts on the bearing saddle and has a cavity for receiving the torque tube; and a twist-lock means between the bearing saddle and the bearing mount that secures the bearing saddle to the bearing mount against movement relative to the bearing mount along the Z-axis in response to incremental rotation of the bearing saddle relative to the bearing mount, but allows rotational movement of the bearing saddle relative to the bearing mount about the Z-axis after being completely secured to the bearing mount, to enable the bearing saddle to rotate and self-orient while the torque tube is being received in the bearing insert.